This is my could've been story: what could have happened if Todd had met Marty when they were in high school instead of meeting her when they were in college? How could've things been different had they met at an earlier time? Obviously, this story is AU.
~*Llanview Hospital*~
Todd had been taken to the hospital. Sam stayed by his side as Todd swam in and out of consciousness. Sam was thankful he had insisted on calling an ambulance, because Todd had lost a great deal of blood and needed surgery to repair the damage. The doctors had documented all the signs of abuse and they had enough evidence that Peter Manning could be arrested. The police were summoned to seek out Todd's father and put him behind bars. Sam stayed outside the operating room, making calls from a pay phone. Sam had placed a call to his friend the judge and had made arrangements so he could become Todd's temporary legal guardian. If all went well, Todd would be able to stay with him permanently. At least Todd would be safe now from his father, although he continued to deal with the injuries from his father's sadistic abuse. As Sam hung up the phone, he looked haggard. He was wondering what kind of father could do that to his son. Todd was a good kid, and he was going to see that he had a happy home. He was going to do everything in his power to make sure Todd got back on track; he just had to make it through the surgery.
After awhile, the doctor came out. "Are you Sam Rappaport?" Dr. Larry Wolek asked.
"Yes, I am."
"Todd's asking for you. I can let you in to see him, but he's very weak, and he needs his rest."
"Is he going to be alright?"
"He'll heal just fine... but he has a lot of emotional scars. Our staff has contacted child services and a social worker will be here soon to handle his case," explained Dr. Wolek.
"I am an attorney. I just spoke to a friend who is a judge. I've made arrangements to become Todd's temporary legal guardian. There are some documents I have to sign... but as soon as Todd's better, he'll be coming home with me," Sam told Larry.
"That's good news. Todd's lucky to have you. He was here earlier with a friend of his- Marty Saybrooke. Todd seems like a nice kid."
"I'm afraid I haven't had the chance to meet his friend yet. I'll go in to see him now. Thank you, Doctor."
Sam walked into Todd's hospital room and approached his bedside. "Hey, Boomer. I'm here," said Sam as he lightly touched Todd's arm.
Todd opened his eyes and looked at Sam. "Thanks for saving me," he said quietly. "I owe you one."
"Don't mention it. I'm glad I was there to help. You've been through hell, but it's all over now," Sam said gently.
"It's never ... over," Todd stated. He'd been abused for years... and it never stopped, although he always wished it had.
"It is now. The cops are arresting your father... and you're coming to live with me. All the arrangements have already been made," Sam explained. "As soon as they release you from the hospital, you and I will go get your things. I have plenty of room at my house... and you'll be safe with me."
Hearing Sam's words, Todd felt a great sense of relief. He hoped he never had to see his father again, but he probably would. He would see him in his nightmares and all his devastating memories. He could never fully escape from his father's evil...of that he was sure.
"I want to rest now," Todd said quietly, closing his eyes. He needed to sleep, and he needed the pain to go away. Everything hurt, but especially his heart. He wondered if he would ever be free of the damage and destruction his evil father had caused him.
"You rest then, Boomer. I'll be right outside."
Todd drifted off to sleep, his last thoughts of Marty. She was alone here in the hospital. She needed him. He had to get better so he could go to her... but right now, he just needed a little sleep.
~*~o~*~
Marty stared at Jason, disbelieving he had actually asked her to marry him. She looked puzzled by his question as she struggled to respond. "Jason, I can't marry you," she finally responded.
"Why not?" Jason questioned. "We care about each other. We've been friends for many years. Marty, I love you... and I want your baby to have a dad. Todd's not here. He's not going to step up and take responsibility for this child... but I will."
"First of all, Jason, I'm not even sure if I am keeping this baby yet. I haven't made any sort of decision. And secondly, who's to say that Todd won't be here for me and our child?"
"Marty, I know you think he's some sort of wonderful guy... but he's not. He's a criminal. He's gotten into all sorts of legal trouble-."
"And I haven't?" Marty responded. "I have gotten kicked out of more private schools than I count. I drove a motorcycle through the front window of The Banner. I went on a joyride in Aunt Kiki's car a few months ago, and then I wrecked it. And we both know I like to get shit-faced drunk at wild parties-."
"That's different."
"How is it different?"
"Marty, listen to me. I love you... okay? I want to make you happy. Please say you'll marry me," Jason implored.
~*~o~*~
A couple of hours after the surgery, Todd had awakened. His pain medication was wearing off, but his only thought and concern at that moment was Marty. He needed to get to her. He unhooked his I.V. and crawled out of bed. The pain was intense, but he forced himself to his feet. He sneaked by a couple of nurses and made his way passed Sam who was out in the hallway, speaking on the pay phone. Still in his hospital gown, Todd walked down the corridors until he reached Marty's hospital room. As he stood there about to walk in, he paused, hearing voices. Jason was talking to Marty, but Todd couldn't hear what they were saying.
"No, Jason. I won't marry you. I'm sorry," Marty stated.
There was pain in Jason's eyes, and Marty knew she had hurt him. She took his hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "It's not that I don't appreciate the gesture. It means a great deal to me that you asked, but I just can't. I need you to be here for me as my friend, but I can't marry you. I love Todd," she told him.
"Alright... then I respect your decision..." Jason said quietly. "But I think you're making a big mistake. Todd's going to hurt you, Marty. And I'll be the one who has to pick up all the pieces."
"I need you to give Todd a chance. Please? For me?" Marty asked him.
Jason nodded, knowing it wouldn't be easy for him. He wanted Marty; she belonged with HIM... not Todd. For Marty's sake, he would try to be civilized to Todd, but he was certain that Todd was going to screw up sometime soon. He'd hurt Marty, and Jason couldn't stand to see Marty suffer in any way.
"Thank you, Jason. You're my best friend... and I love you so much," Marty said as she pulled him to her for a lingering hug.
"I love you, too," he said as he pulled back slightly and gazed into her eyes. He pressed a gentle kiss upon her cheek as he held her frail body in his comforting embrace.
From the doorway, Todd watched, feeling intense anger and jealousy strike him. How dare Jason kiss Marty and hold her so closely? Had Todd not been recovering from surgery, he would have barged into the room, prying Jason away from Marty. Todd would have made sure that Jason Webb suffered the consequences of touching HIS girl, but right now Todd was far too weak to confront anyone.
"I'll be back later," Jason stated as he hugged Marty once again. After the embrace, he walked out and he didn't see Todd who had hidden behind a door.
Marty had no sooner closed her eyes to relax after Jason's departure, when Todd appeared at her side. "Todd, you're back," she said as a little smile came to her face.
But the smile quickly turned to a frown, seeing multiple cuts and bruises marring Todd's flesh. As she ran her eyes over his body clad in a hospital gown, she saw dozens of contusions and injuries all over his body. "Ohhh my God, Todd... were you in some sort of accident?" she gasped as her voice became very distraught.
"You could say that," Todd responded as he sunk down in the nearby chair. He couldn't stand on his feet another moment or he was likely to pass out. His body was crying out for rest, but he refused to listen as he kept pushing himself forward.
"Listen, Marty, I can't stay long; I need to get back to my hospital room. But we do need to talk."
"Wh- what happened to you?" she questioned.
"My father... did this..." he stated as he gestured to the wounds upon his body.
"Your father?" she said in disbelief. "Why would he-?"
"Because he's a sadistic asshole," Todd replied. "Listen, Marty, I don't want to talk about my father. I want to talk about you and me."
Marty shook her head, trying to clear it of dozens of questions. "Okay, Todd. I'm listening."
Todd took a deep breath, then the words just spilled out. "I love you, Marty," he told her. "I love you so much..."
She took his hands in hers and gently kissed them. She spread kisses all over the wounds and scars. "I love you, too," she responded.
Suddenly all the pain and agony came spilling forth. Todd cried like a lost and abandoned child. He lay his head upon her chest as he sobbed. She caressed his hair and did her best to comfort him. She didn't say a word as she just let him cry.
"My father... he hurt me so much..." he finally said in a voice wrought with sorrow.
"I know," she said as she continued to caress his hair.
"No, Marty, you don't know," he said as he pulled back from her embrace and looked down into her caring eyes. "My father forced himself on me. He raped me."
"That's why I am here in the hospital. The doctors had to do surgery to repair- the damage he caused..."
Marty couldn't believe what Todd was telling her as she tried her best to comprehend the horrors he had suffered. Her eyes filled up with tears as she heard of his father's brutality. "Wh-where is he? Where's your father now?" she asked worriedly.
"The police went to arrest him. My neighbor Sam Rappaport said I could go live with him."
"That's how you hurt your hand. Your father abused you..." Marty quietly concluded.
"Yes."
"I'm so sorry, Todd," she said as she looked into his eyes.
"Don't look at me with pity, Marty. I don't think I could bear it."
"I'm not. It's just that I love you so much... and I hate the thought of you being hurt." What he must have gone through at his father's hands- Marty didn't even want to imagine it.
"I just want you to hold me. I only need you," Todd whispered as he went back into her arms.
Marty held him close as they shared their pain together. Todd's tears mingled with hers. In that moment, they bonded as they never had before. Their lives were a great deal alike and so deeply intertwined. She didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but at least they had each other. She loved Todd and she was never letting him go.